Here comes Colorado native James May, playing Cogsworth the Clock in the national touring production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” at the Buell Theater from Wednesday through March 18.

We had a few questions for the graduate of Aurora’s Overland High School (class of 2004) and the University of Northern Colorado (class of 2008).

Q: Performing a musical at sea level is one thing. At altitude, it’s something else. Do you have an advantage as a Colorado kid?

A: I think so. My brother and I used to run cross country in school, and we’d always joke that when we ran at sea level we felt like Superman coming down from Krypton. In Greeley (at UNC), whenever we had Broadway choreographers come out to teach a class, they’d inevitably get out of breath. At altitude, you have to breathe differently. You have to breathe more.

Q: Show after show, playing the same character and saying the same lines. How do you keep it fresh?

A: This is by far the most performances I’ve ever done of a full musical. I’m already at 120 on this tour. As an actor, you have to constantly challenge yourself to stay in it. You always find new beats, new moments, new ways to experiment with how you do things. You’re living in that person’s skin for so long. In one way your body starts to feel really comfortable with it, but you can’t get too comfortable.

Q: You’ve played around the country, but now you’re coming home. How does it feel?

A: When I first was finding out about this job, I didn’t know the full schedule — there were holes. So I was telling my friends and family, “It’s too bad I’m not coming to Denver.” Then one day I was scanning through the upcoming schedule and saw the Buell, and it was like, “We’re playing the Buell! Oh, yes!” The DCPA is where I saw shows when I was growing up — I’m sure when I get there, it will be really exciting going to the dressing rooms instead of taking a seat with the audience.

“DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.” The musical plays Wednesday-March 18 at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets.Tickets, $20-$90, are available at denvercenter.org or 303-893-4100.